Novel Explores Christian-Islam Relations

Imagine a prominent Muslim cleric and a Lutheran antiquities scholar debating the relationship of Christianity and Islam. Imagine that debate happening in modern Istanbul, Turkey, at the Hagia Sophia, and imagine it being broadcast live around the world. Such a debate may seem far-fetched. But if Dan Brown can imagine finding modern, physical descendants of Jesus or an antimatter bomb under the Vatican, why not this?

Lutheran antiquities professor and author Paul L. Maier‘s newest book explores, among other things, the modern dynamic between Islam and Christianity. The Constantine Codex sees the return of Maier’s beloved fictional Harvard professor, Dr. Jonathan Weber. This time Weber and his archaeologist wife, Shannon, are on a hunt for previously lost manuscripts related to the Christian faith. At the same time the Webers are coping with the devastating effects of a translation error in Jonathan’s latest book on the life of Christ.

Surprised to see Islamic protesters outside his window at Harvard, Jonathan discovers too late that the Arabic version of his book on Jesus of Nazareth has described Islam not as the greatest challenge facing Christianity, as he originally wrote, but as the greatest evil facing Christianity. As news of the error finally breaks into the global news cycle, cooler heads prevail, but not before a fatwa is declared against Weber by Iranian clerics. It is an Egyptian Islamic scholar who defuses the situation by inviting Dr. Weber to an open debate, saying:

I am certain that you and I can discuss the topic without the high emotion that often characterizes such exchanges, and the result might even benefit Muslim-Christian relations. (p.93)

Maier, who also serves as a Vice-President of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, has been exploring the intersection of theology and history for decades. Once again he brings an even-handedness to the discussion of the Islamic-Christian question much lacking in contemporary culture. Maier studiously avoids the relativist position (“there are no real and significant differences between the faiths”) and the extremist position that one faith has contributed nothing good, while the other has no skeletons in its closet. In answer to the question, “What is your true opinion…of the Prophet Muhammad – may his name be blessed?” Weber begins his answer by saying:

I have many good things to say about the prophet Muhammad… First of all, he led his people away from the terrible error of paganism, polytheism… to monotheism, since there can be only one God… He taught [people] spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, fasting, and concern for the poor, and he set higher ethical standards than had previously been the case among the desert tribes of Arabia. (p.179)

The excesses and misunderstandings of both sides are dealt with extensively: misunderstandings of Muslims about Christian theology, and misunderstandings by Christians about Islamic practice. In one tense but later humorous scene the Webers fear they are being followed by Islamic extremists “wearing turbans,” only later remembering that it is Sikhs, not Muslims, who wear that particular headgear. But Maier’s Weber also laments how Christians must often present their faith to Muslims “with one hand tied behind their backs,” as illustrated in this exchange:

“We have to go back shortly,” Jon said. “Any further advice, Osman?”

“Just beware of any traps that al-Rashid may try to set for you… continue walking that tightrope, Jon. You have to defend the faith, of course, but try to do it as diplomatically as you can -”

“Without enraging the other side. Got it, Osman.” Blasted restraint, he almost muttered. How I’d love to cut loose!

7 Responses

Reverend Stonge, If what you are saying is true i.e. that Islam seeks to replace Christianity then what about those verses in the Quran (see below) which actually promote coexistence of other faiths including Christianity? Just because the Quran disagrees with the Christine doctrine of Trinity that does not mean that it seeks to replace it. On the contary it is saying that you whilst you are wrong in a your belief, ultimately GOD will decide who is right and who is wrong

Surely, The believers (Muslims) and the Jews and the Christians, and the Sabians – whichever party amongst them truly believes in GOD and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Quran 2:62)

If GOD so willed, he would have made you a single People, but his plan is to test each of you separately, in what He has given to each of you: so strive in all virtues as in you are in a race. The goal of all of you is to GOD. It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute. (Quran 5:48)

And dispute not with the People of the Book, except with means better than mere disputation, unless I be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury, but say to them: “We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our God and your God is one; and it is to Him that we bow.” (Quran 29:46)

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands outs clear from Error” . (Quran 2:256)

“If they charge you with falsehood, say: ‘For me are my deeds and for you are your deeds! You are free from responsibility for what I do, and I for what you do'” (Quran 10:41)

“Say, ‘The Truth is from your Lord’ Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject (it)’ ” (Quran18:29)

“To you (non-believers) be your Way (Religion), and to me mine” (Quran 109:6 )

They say, if you want to be guided to salvation, you should either become a Jew or Christian. Say: What about the religion of Abraham, he also worshiped no one but GOD. We believe in GOD, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, to Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes of Israel, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to GOD. So, if they believe, they are indeed on the right path, but if they turn back, GOD will suffice them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. This is the Baptism of GOD. And who can baptize better than GOD. And it is He Whom we worship. Say: Will you dispute with us about GOD, He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that We are sincere in Him? Or do ye say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do ye know better than GOD? Ah! who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from GOD. But GOD is not unmindful of what ye do! That was a people that hath passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did, and ye of what ye do! Of their merits there is no question in your case. (Quran 2:135-141)

There are two charters which the Prophet Mohammed authored. The first is the Charter of Privileges which essentially was a document that protected the Christian Monks of St Catherines Monastery, the oldest Monastery in the world in Egypt. The second is the Charter of Medina, a constitution that afforded Christians, Jews and Muslims to coexist amongst other rights

By “replace” I meant “theologically” replace, not “physically” replace. I think we simply misunderstood each other in what we meant by that term. Christians coexist with many religious groups physically, but that does not mean that we agree with them theologically. You may want to join in the discussion on my blog later this morning in this regard.

I appreciate the comment, but in this case the erroneous belief Islam is correcting is the core tenet of Christianity. The line between “correct” and “replace” at this point is a matter of point of view. Islam does not seek to correct some fringe beliefs associated with Christianity, but the core doctrine of the faith itself. The Quran reveals the God of Christianity to be a false God. I cannot be a person of the Book and not worship Christ as Lord and God.

If the words of Isa in the Injil according to John are correct, then we have Him saying, among other things, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 ESV). But according to Surah 4:171, Christians are to “not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, “Three”; desist.”

Perhaps the Gospel of John (and the three other gospels, the apostles’, and the earliest church besides) have gotten it wrong or all of their words have been corrupted. But if so, they’ve all gotten it wrong very consistently. To accept the Quran as a reliable testimony from God, I must reject the entire theology of the New Testament and the early church. At that point, I am no longer a “person of the book” but something else entirely. I have not “corrected” my religion: I have accepted a new one.

JackR, during 6th Century Arabia there were good relationships between Islam – Christianity and Judaism called the “Charter of Medina” – look it up. The Quran clearly states that there is “No Compulsion in Matters of Faith”. It also states that the righteous and the good will find their reward with God irrespective of their faith. Therefore, Islam is not a religion of exclusion. Islam sees itself as a natural progression from Christianity which sees itself as a natural progression from Judaism. But where Christianity’s intent was to replace Judaism, Islam did or does not seek to replace either of the Abrahamic faiths.

But Islam does seek to correct at least one of the major Abrahamic faiths, since the Quran paints Jesus in a different light than the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament. The Jesus of the Quran and the Jesus of the New Testament are at odds with one another, and so either one or neither is correct. But they cannot both be accurate.